U.S. patent application number 12/144792 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for method for testing the functionality of armatures.
This patent application is currently assigned to ABB AG. Invention is credited to Martin Dahl, Thomas KLEEGREWE, Heiko Kresse, Andreas Stelter, Andreas Wahlmann.
Application Number | 20080314170 12/144792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40075855 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080314170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KLEEGREWE; Thomas ; et
al. |
December 25, 2008 |
METHOD FOR TESTING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF ARMATURES
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a method for testing the functionality
of armatures, e.g., of safety armatures, in process control systems
which are assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke
testing and which are connected to a control device, which brings
about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety
armature in an emergency. Prior to the start of the implementation
of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is transmitted from
the test device to the control device which is answered by the
control device with an enable signal, the enable signal being
issued as a function of the current process sequence at the
armature.
Inventors: |
KLEEGREWE; Thomas; (Minden,
DE) ; Stelter; Andreas; (Minden, DE) ; Dahl;
Martin; (Espelkamp, DE) ; Wahlmann; Andreas;
(Meerbeck, DE) ; Kresse; Heiko; (Obernkirchen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
ABB AG
Mannheim
DE
|
Family ID: |
40075855 |
Appl. No.: |
12/144792 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/865.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M 99/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/865.9 |
International
Class: |
G01M 19/00 20060101
G01M019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 25, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 029 148.7 |
Claims
1. A method for testing the functionality of armatures in process
control systems which are assigned a test device for implementing
partial stroke testing and which are connected to a control device,
which brings about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of
the safety armature in an emergency, wherein, prior to the start of
the implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal
is transmitted from the test device to the control device, and
wherein an enable signal is output by the control device at least
upon request, the enable signal being issued as a function of the
current process sequence at the armature.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the request signal is
generated cyclically.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the request signal is
generated automatically.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enable signal is
output whenever the current process sequence at the armature allows
for fault-free testing.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the enable signal is
output whenever the current process sequence at the armature allows
for fault-free testing.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the armatures are
safety armatures.
7. A process control system for testing the functionality of
armatures, comprising: a control device to control actuation of a
safety armature in an emergency; and at least one assigned test
device for implementing partial stroke testing and which is
connected to the control device, which brings about actuation, in
accordance with regulations, of the safety armature in an
emergency, wherein, prior to the start of the implementation of the
partial stroke testing, a request signal is transmitted from the
test device to the control device, and wherein an enable signal is
output by the control device at least upon the request.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the enable signal is
issued as a function of the current process sequence at the
armature.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to German Patent Application No. 10 2007 029 148.7 filed in Germany
on Jun. 25, 2007, the entire content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates to a method for testing the
functionality of armatures, e.g., safety armatures, in process
control systems.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Such safety armatures are used in process systems in order
to bring devices in the process control system into a nonhazardous
state in an emergency, for example in the event of failure of
controlled armatures. In accordance with regulations, such safety
armatures are only moved in an emergency. States which impede or
prevent the movement of a safety armature are therefore regularly
not directly detected.
[0004] In order to test whether a safety armature can move out of
the permanent position at least up to a specific point in an
unrestricted manner, the so-called partial stroke test is known
from U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,022 B1. In this case, a safety armature is
moved in a subsection of its working range, by means of which it is
proven, at the instant of testing, that some of the hazardous
faults which cannot be detected and which impede or prevent the
movement of a safety armature are not present.
[0005] WO 01/59346 A1 has disclosed a test device for implementing
the partial stroke testing which has a pushbutton, on whose
actuation or by means of remote control the testing is
initiated.
[0006] In this case there is the problem that the undetermined time
of the testing disrupts the controlled process sequence. This is
the case, for example, if in the case of a safety armature closing
in an emergency, the testing takes place at the moment at which an
exceptionally high quantity of the medium separated from the safety
armature in an emergency is required for the process. Restricting
the partial stroke to an actuating range of the safety armature by
a process impediment being ruled out would restrict the
significance of the testing. In the case of a safety armature which
opens in an emergency, the testing could be implemented at a time
at which the container which is deaerated or aerated by the safety
armature in an emergency should not be opened. Deaerating
applications include, for example, superatmospheric pressure
armatures, and aerating applications include, for example,
protective gas armatures.
SUMMARY
[0007] A method for testing the functionality of armatures is
disclosed, e.g., of safety armatures, in which the influencing of
the technical process is largely avoided.
[0008] A method for testing the functionality of armatures is
disclosed, e.g., of safety armatures, in process control systems
which are assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke
testing and which are connected to a control device, which brings
about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety
armature in an emergency, wherein, prior to the start of the
implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is
transmitted from the test device to the control device, and wherein
an enable signal is output by the control device at least upon
request, the enable signal being issued as a function of the
current process sequence at the armature.
[0009] In another aspect, a process control system is disclosed for
testing the functionality of armatures. The system comprises a
control device to control actuation of a safety armature in an
emergency; and at least one assigned test device for implementing
partial stroke testing and which is connected to the control
device, which brings about actuation, in accordance with
regulations, of the safety armature in an emergency, wherein, prior
to the start of the implementation of the partial stroke testing, a
request signal is transmitted from the test device to the control
device, and wherein an enable signal is output by the control
device at least upon the request.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further advantages and details of the disclosure will be
explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary
embodiments. In the drawings required in this regard:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a basic illustration of an exemplary system
with a safety armature,
[0012] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary timing diagram for the enable
process as a response, and
[0013] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary timing diagram for the leading
enable process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The disclosure is based on a safety armature, which is
assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke testing and
which is connected to a control device, which brings about
actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety armature
in an emergency.
[0015] The disclosure provides that, prior to the start of the
implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is
transmitted from the test device to the control device. An enable
signal is output by the control device at least upon request, the
enable signal being issued as a function of the current process
sequence at the armature. No testing is carried out until the
enable signal is present. This means that the testing is always
only carried out when the technical process is not impaired.
[0016] In accordance with a further feature of the disclosure, it
is provided that the request signal is generated cyclically. As a
result, continuous monitoring of the functionality of the safety
armature is achieved.
[0017] In accordance with a further feature of the disclosure, it
is provided that the request signal is generated automatically.
Advantageously, manual interventions for maintaining the continuous
monitoring of the functionality of the safety armature can thus be
dispensed with.
[0018] In accordance with a further feature of the disclosure, it
is provided that the enable signal is output whenever the current
process sequence at the armature allows for fault-free testing.
This feature makes it possible to implement the testing at the time
of the request if the enable signal has already been output.
Advantageously, delays between the request and the start of the
testing are thus avoided.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a basic illustration of an exemplary system with a
safety armature 10, which is connected into a pipeline 40 for
blocking or enabling throughflow through said pipeline. The safety
armature 10 substantially comprises a drive 11 for actuating a
valve 12, which enables or blocks the throughflow through the
pipeline 40.
[0020] The safety armature 10 is assigned a test device 20 for
implementing the partial stroke testing. The test device 20 is
connected to a control device 30, which brings about actuation, in
accordance with regulations, of the safety armature 10 in an
emergency.
[0021] The safety armature 10 is arranged in addition to a
process-controlled armature (not shown). In this case, a safety
armature 10 which opens in an emergency is arranged in parallel
with the controlled armature and a safety armature 10 which closes
in an emergency is connected in series with the controlled
armature.
[0022] In a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, it is
provided, with reference to FIG. 2, that a request signal 91 is
generated by the test device 20 and is transmitted to the control
device 30. This step is illustrated in FIG. 2 by the rising flank
of the request signal 91 at time To. Upon this request, the control
device 30 emits an enable signal 92 as long as the current process
sequence at the safety armature 10 allows testing. Enabling is
identified by the rising flank of the enable signal 92 at time
T.sub.1. The presence of the request signal 91 and the enable
signal 92 initiates the testing 93 beginning at time T.sub.2 up to
time T.sub.3. The request signal 91 is canceled at the latest once
the testing 93 has elapsed at time T.sub.3. The canceling of the
enable signal 92 depends on the current process sequence at the
safety armature 10.
[0023] In this case, the time To up to time T.sub.3 merely
represents a exemplary qualitative sequence of states and does not
represent a quantitative indication of the onset of a specific
event.
[0024] In a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, it is
provided, with reference to FIG. 3, that an enable signal 92 is
output, independently of a request, by the control device 30 as a
function of the current process sequence at the safety armature 10.
In FIG. 3, the presence of the enabling is assumed at time
T.sub.-1. If a request 91 is generated at a later time T.sub.0 and
this request is met with enabling 91, the testing 93 is initiated,
and this testing extends over the period from T.sub.2 to
T.sub.3.
[0025] If the enabling 92 at time T.sub.0 of the request 91 has
failed, the further sequence is in accordance with the illustration
in FIG. 2.
[0026] In a further configuration of the disclosure, it can be
provided that the enabling 92 has a rate time which takes into
consideration the current process sequence at the safety armature
10.
[0027] In a further-reaching configuration of the disclosure, it
can be provided that the enabling 92 is transmitted electrically.
For example, it can be provided that the enabling 92 is transmitted
as a data item by means of a communication protocol between the
control device 30 and the test device 20.
[0028] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all
respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the
disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than the
foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning
and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced
therein.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0029] 10 Armature [0030] 11 Drive [0031] 12 Valve [0032] 20 Test
device [0033] 30 Control device [0034] 40 Pipeline [0035] 91
Request signal [0036] 92 Enable signal [0037] 93 Testing [0038]
T.sub.-1 to T.sub.3 Times
* * * * *